JP5291778B2 - Hinge device - Google Patents

Abstract

One end portion of a connecting member 31 is connected to a first housing 1 such that the connecting member 31 is rotatable about a first rotation axis L1 fixed in position with respect to the first housing 1. The other end portion of the connecting member 31 is connected to a second housing 2 such that the connecting member 31 is rotatable about a second rotation axis L2 fixed in position with respect to the second housing 2 and extending parallel to the first rotation axis L1. The first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are located in different locations in a direction of the first and the second rotation axes L1, L2 such that a top surface 1a of the first housing 1 and an undersurface 2b of the second housing 2 are located generally on a same plane.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hinge device suitable for use in a portable device such as a portable game machine or a cellular phone.

  In general, a cellular phone includes a first housing in which operation buttons and the like are provided, a second housing in which a liquid crystal display unit and the like are provided, and a hinge device interposed between the first and second housings. The hinge device has a connecting member, and one end of the connecting member is connected to the first housing so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis, and the other end is connected to the second housing at the first time. It is connected so as to be rotatable around a second rotation axis parallel to the movement axis (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-179817 A

  In the mobile phone described in Patent Document 1, the first housing and the second housing are arranged at the same position in the first and second rotation axis directions. For this reason, when the first and second housings are rotated about the first and second rotation axes, the side surfaces abut each other, and the two are overlapped with each other in the first and second rotation axis directions. I can't.

  Therefore, in the mobile phone, the connecting member is divided into one end portion on the first housing side and the other end portion on the second housing side, and both are extended in a direction orthogonal to the first and second rotation axes. The first and second casings can be overlapped with each other so as to be rotatable about a moving axis. However, if it does in that way, while a connection member will be divided into two, the hinge for connecting them will be needed, and a number of parts and an assembly man-hour will increase. For this reason, there was a problem that the manufacturing cost of the mobile phone increased.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a first hinge member having a first attachment portion and a first gear portion, and a second gear portion having a second attachment portion and a second gear portion meshing with the first gear portion. A hinge member and the first hinge member are supported to be rotatable about the axis of the first gear portion, and the second hinge member is supported to be rotatable about the axis of the second gear portion. the first and a support member for maintaining a state meshed with the gear portion and the second gear portion, the the axis of the first axis of the gear portion and the second gear portion are disposed in parallel to each other, the The first gear portion is an internal gear portion, the second gear portion is an external gear portion, and the support member has a fitting portion that fits rotatably on the inner peripheral surface of the first gear portion. Provided, the fitting portion is provided with a receiving portion for rotatably receiving the second gear portion, One side portion of the housing portion is opened to the outside from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion, and one side portion of the second gear portion is projected to the outside from the opened side portion of the housing portion. The one side portion is characterized in that the second gear portion meshes with the first gear portion .
In this case, the first hinge member on SL is a base portion of the first attachment portion is provided, and a rotating member in which the first gear portion is provided, the first said rotating member to said base It is desirable to be connected so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the axis of one gear portion.

  According to the hinge device of the present invention having the above-described characteristic configuration, the first housing is attached to the first attachment portion and the second housing is attached to the second attachment portion, whereby the second housing is attached to the first housing. A first housing and a second housing of a mobile device that are rotated in a plane and can be overlapped with the first housing in a direction orthogonal to the plane. Can be used as a hinge device for rotatably connecting the two.

It is a top view which shows the 1st reference example of the portable apparatus used as the reference of the portable apparatus using the hinge apparatus which concerns on this invention in the state which has located the 2nd housing | casing in the overlapping position. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1 shown in the state which has located the 2nd housing | casing in the intermediate position. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1 shown in the state which has located the 2nd housing | casing in the expansion | deployment position. It is an expanded sectional view which follows the XX line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st reference example in the state which located the 2nd housing | casing in the overlap position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first reference example viewed from a direction different from FIG. 5. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st reference example in the state which located the 2nd housing | casing in the intermediate position. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st reference example from the direction different from FIG. It is a perspective view showing the 1st reference example in the state where the 2nd case was located in the deployment position. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st reference example from the direction different from Drawing 9. It is a top view which shows the 2nd reference example of the form apparatus used as the reference of the portable apparatus using the hinge apparatus which concerns on this invention in the state which has located the 2nd housing | casing in the overlapping position. It is an expanded sectional view which follows the XX line of FIG. It is a top view which shows the portable apparatus with which 1st Embodiment of the hinge apparatus which concerns on this invention was used in the state which located the 2nd housing | casing in the overlap position. FIG. 14 is a view taken in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 13. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1 shown in the state which has located the 2nd housing | casing in the intermediate position. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1 shown in the state which has located the 2nd housing | casing in the expansion | deployment position. It is a top view which shows the 1st housing | casing used in the portable apparatus. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX line of FIG. It is a top view which shows the 2nd housing | casing used in the portable apparatus. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows 1st Embodiment of the hinge apparatus based on this invention used in the portable apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the said 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the hinge apparatus based on this invention used in the portable apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of the second embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows 3rd Embodiment of the hinge apparatus based on this invention used in the portable apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of the same third embodiment. It is a partially transparent top view which shows the portable apparatus with which 4th Embodiment of the hinge apparatus which concerns on this invention was used in the state which located the 2nd housing in the overlapping position. It is the same figure as FIG. 27 shown in the state which has located the 2nd housing in the intermediate position. It is the same figure as FIG. 27 shown in the state which has located the 2nd housing | casing in the expansion | deployment position. FIG. 30 is a view on arrow X in FIG. 29. It is the same figure as FIG. 30 shown in the state which has located the 2nd housing | casing in the inclination position. It is a disassembled perspective view of the portable device. It is a top view which shows 4th Embodiment of the hinge apparatus based on this invention used in the portable apparatus. FIG. 34 is a view on arrow X in FIG. 33. It is a Y arrow line view of FIG. FIG. 35 is a view on arrow X in FIG. 34. It is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the same fourth embodiment. It is a top view which shows the click mechanism of the same 4th Embodiment in the state when the 2nd housing | casing is located in the overlap position. FIG. 40 is a view similar to FIG. 39 shown in a state where the second housing is located at the intermediate position. It is the same figure as FIG. 30 shown in the state when the 2nd housing | casing is located in a deployment position. It is a partially transparent top view which shows the portable apparatus with which 5th Embodiment of the hinge apparatus which concerns on this invention was used in the state which located the 2nd housing in the overlapping position. It is a figure similar to FIG. 42 shown in the state which has located the 2nd housing in the intermediate position. It is the same figure as FIG. 42 shown in the state which has located the 2nd housing | casing in the expansion | deployment position. It is a disassembled perspective view of the portable device. It is a perspective view which shows 5th Embodiment of the hinge apparatus based on this invention used in the portable apparatus. It is a top view of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 48 is a view on arrow X in FIG. 47. It is a Y arrow line view of FIG. FIG. 50 is a view on arrow X in FIG. 49. It is sectional drawing which follows the YY line | wire of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the fifth embodiment.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1-10 shows the 1st reference example of the portable apparatus developed before the portable apparatus in which the hinge apparatus based on this invention was used. This reference example shows a portable game machine A as a portable device. Of course, the hinge device according to the present invention can also be applied to portable devices other than portable game machines, for example, mobile phones. The game machine A includes a first housing 1, a second housing 2, and a hinge device 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4 in particular, the first housing 1 is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape with a small thickness, and is arranged with its longitudinal direction directed in the left-right direction of FIGS. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) of the first housing 1 is the vertical direction, the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1 is the left-right direction, and the short direction of the first housing 1 is. They shall be referred to as the front-rear direction.

  An upper surface 1a and a lower surface 1b of the first housing 1 (a surface facing the second housing 2) are horizontal planes. The four side surfaces 1c to 1f of the first housing 1 are all flat surfaces orthogonal to the upper surface 1a and the lower surface 1b. Concave portions 1g and 1h are formed at both ends in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) of the upper surface 1a. An operation button 11 having a cross shape is provided on the bottom surface of one recess 1g. The height of the operation button 11 is lower than the depth of the recess 1g. Therefore, the upper surface of the operation button 11 is located below the upper surface 1 a of the first housing 1. Two push buttons 12 are provided on the bottom surface of the other recess 1h. The height of the push button 12 is lower than the depth of the recess 1h. Therefore, the upper surface of the push button 12 is located below the upper surface 1a.

  The second housing 2 is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape with a small thickness. In particular, in this embodiment, the shape and size of the second housing 2 in plan view are formed to be the same as the shape and size of the first housing 1. An upper surface 2a and a lower surface (a surface facing the first housing 1) 2b of the second housing 2 are horizontal planes, and are parallel to the upper surface 1a and the lower surface 1b of the first housing 1. That is, the second housing 2 is arranged in parallel with the first housing 1. The four side surfaces 2c to 2f of the second housing 2 are all flat surfaces orthogonal to the upper surface 2a and the lower surface 2b. A display unit 13 such as a liquid crystal display unit for displaying game contents is provided on the upper surface 2 a of the second housing 2. The display unit 13 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and is arranged at the center of the upper surface 2 a in a state where the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the longitudinal direction of the second housing 2.

  The hinge device 3 has a connecting member 31. The connecting member 31 is formed as a flat plate having a relatively thin vertical thickness. The upper surface 31 a and the lower surface 31 b of the connecting member 31 are horizontal planes, and are parallel to the upper and lower surfaces 1 a and 1 b of the first housing 1 and the upper and lower surfaces 2 a and 2 b of the second housing 2. That is, the connecting member 31 is disposed in parallel with the first and second housings 1 and 2. Both side surfaces 31c and 31d along the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 31 are parallel to each other and are orthogonal to the upper and lower surfaces 31a and 31b. Both side surfaces 31e and 31f arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 31 are semicircular arc surfaces that are orthogonal to the upper and lower surfaces 31a and 31b and are in contact with the side surfaces 31c and 31d.

  As shown in FIG. 4, one end portion of the connecting member 31, that is, the end portion on the side surface 31 e side, is rotatably connected to the first housing 1 via a shaft 32 whose axis is directed in the vertical direction. The axis of the shaft 32 is the first rotation axis L1. The other end of the connecting member 31, that is, the end on the side surface 31 f side, is rotatably connected to the second housing 2 via a shaft 33 whose axis is directed in the vertical direction. The axis of the shaft 33 is the second rotation axis L2. The second rotation axis L2 is parallel to the first rotation axis L1.

  One end of the connecting member 31 is connected to the first housing 1 so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis L1, and the other end of the connecting member 31 is connected to the second housing 2 as the second rotation axis. Since the first housing 1 is fixed in position, the second housing 2 has the first rotation axis L1 with respect to the second housing 1 because the first housing 1 is fixed in position. Revolves around the center and rotates around the second rotation axis L2. By revolving and rotating, the second housing 2 passes from the overlapping position shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 to the intermediate position shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8 to FIGS. 3, 9, and 10. It can be rotationally displaced until it reaches the deployment position shown.

  When the second housing 2 is located at the overlapping position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the first and second housings 1 and 2 are located at the same position in the horizontal direction. Are overlapped with each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the game machine A in which the second housing 2 is rotated to the overlapping position is viewed from above, only the second housing 2 is visible, and the entire game machine A is downsized. Therefore, the game machine A can be easily accommodated in a bag or the like. In addition, since the buttons 11 and 12 are covered with the second housing 2, it is possible to prevent the buttons 11 and 12 from being erroneously operated. In addition, since each upper surface of the operation button 11 and the push button 12 is located below the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1, the operation button 11 and the push button 12 are moved when the second housing 2 rotates. It won't get in the way.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 are obtained when the first and second casings 1 and 2 are viewed from above in a state where the second casing 2 is positioned at the overlapping position. The first casing 1 is arranged symmetrically with respect to a bisector HL that bisects the first casing 1 in the longitudinal direction. In particular, in this embodiment, when the distance between the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 (hereinafter referred to as the center distance) is Cd, the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 are: The first and second housings 1 and 2 are separated from the side surfaces 1c and 2c by the distance Cd / 2 from the side surfaces 1c and 2c toward the side surfaces 1d and 2d, and are separated from the bisector HL in the left-right direction by the distance Cd / 2. Has been placed.

  In the connecting member 31, the centers of curvature of the side surfaces 31e and 31f that are semicircular arc surfaces are positioned on the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2, respectively. Moreover, the radii of curvature of the side surfaces 31e and 31f are both set to Cd / 2. The width of the connecting member 31 is set to be the same as the center distance Cd. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the second housing 2 is positioned at the overlapping position, the side surface 31d of the connecting member 31 is positioned on the same plane as the side surfaces 1c and 2c of the first and second housings.

When the second housing 2 is located at the intermediate position, the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1 and the longitudinal direction of the second housing 2 are orthogonal to each other, as shown in FIGS. At the same time, the left end portion of the second housing 2 when located at the overlapping position overlaps the first housing 1 and the longitudinal center thereof in the vertical direction. In addition, the left side surface 2e of the second housing 2 is positioned on the same plane as the front side surface 1d extending in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1. As a result, when the first and second housings 1 and 2 are viewed from above, the first and second housings 1 and 2 have a shape in which the Roman letter “T” is turned upside down. Here, when the second housing 2 is rotated to the intermediate position, the side surface 1d of the first housing 1 and the side surface 2e of the second housing 2 are positioned in the same plane (vertical surface). Since the first casing 1 and the second casing 2 overlap each other, it is apparent from FIG. 1 that the lengths and widths of the first and second casings 1 and 2 are L and W, respectively. Then, the following equation is established.
L / 2−Cd / 2 = W−Cd / 2
∴L = 2W
In other words, since the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 are arranged as described above and L = 2W is established, the second housing 2 is rotated to the intermediate position. Sometimes, the side surface 2e side of the second housing 2 is located with respect to the first housing 1 with the side surface 2e of the second housing 2 positioned on the same plane as the side surface 1d of the first housing 1. It overlaps vertically in the central part in the longitudinal direction.

  Since the length L and width W of the first and second casings 1 and 2 are set to L> W, when the second casing 2 is located at the intermediate position, the left and right sides of the first casing 1 are Both end portions protrude from the second housing 2 to the left and right, and the recesses 1g and 1h formed on the left and right ends of the first housing 1 are exposed to the outside from the second housing 2. Therefore, the operation button 11 and the push button 12 provided in the recesses 1g and 1h are exposed to the outside, and can be freely operated. Therefore, the game machine A can be operated when the second housing 2 is rotated to the intermediate position. Moreover, the game machine A can be enjoyed with the display unit 13 in a vertically long state, that is, with the longitudinal direction of the display unit 13 oriented in the front-rear direction.

  When the second housing 2 is located at the unfolded position, it is point-symmetric with respect to the second housing 2 when located at the overlapping position, as shown in FIGS. That is, the side surface 2c of the second housing 2 is located on the same plane (vertical surface) as the side surface 1c of the first housing 1, and the side surface 2d is the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 with respect to the side surface 1d. The side surfaces 2e and 2f are located on the same plane as the side surfaces 1f and 1e, respectively.

  In order to enable the above-described rotational displacement of the second housing 2, the game machine A further includes the following configuration. That is, in the first and second housings 1 and 2, the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1 and the lower surface 2b of the second housing 2 are in the vertical direction (the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 directions). As a result, the upper surface 1a and the lower surface 2b are disposed so as to be in contact with each other. In other words, the second housing 2 is disposed above the first housing 1 by the thickness thereof. The first and second housings 1 and 2 may be arranged in a state where the lower surface 2b is slightly spaced upward from the upper surface 1a. Since the lower surface 2b of the second housing 2 is substantially in contact with the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1 or is slightly spaced upward, the second housing 2 is in the vertical direction with respect to the first housing 1 It can be rotated to overlap.

  A first housing recess 14 is formed on the upper surface 1 a of the first housing 1. The first housing recess 14 is formed along the side surface 1 c and is disposed at the longitudinal center of the first housing 1. A side portion on the side surface 1c side of the first accommodating recess 14 is opened from the side surface 1c toward the outside. The depth of the first accommodating recess 14 is set to be approximately half the thickness of the connecting member 31. Therefore, the 1st accommodation recessed part 14 can accommodate the one side part in the thickness direction (1st, 2nd rotation axis L1, L2 direction) of the connection member 31. FIG.

  One end of the connecting member 31 is accommodated at one end in the longitudinal direction of the first accommodating recess 14 (the end on the side surface 1e side) so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis L1. The rotation range of the connecting member 31 around the first rotation axis L1 is limited between the first rotation position shown in FIG. 1 and the second rotation position shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first rotation position of the connecting member 31 is determined by the side surface 31c of the connecting member 31 abutting against the side surface 14a of the first receiving recess 14 extending in parallel with the side surface 1c. When the connecting member 31 is located at the first rotation position, the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 31 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1, and the side surface 31 d of the connecting member 31 is the same as the side surface 1 c of the first housing 1. Located on a plane (vertical plane). In addition, in the plan view, the entire connecting member 31 is accommodated in the first accommodating recess 14. However, as described above, since the depth of the first receiving recess 14 is set to half the thickness of the connecting member 31, the first and second rotations of the connecting member 31 are included in the first receiving recess 14. Only one side in the direction of the axes L1, L2 is accommodated.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second rotation position of the connecting member 31 is determined by the side surface 31d of the connecting member 31 abutting against the left side surface 14b of the first receiving recess 14 perpendicular to the side surface 1c. Yes. Accordingly, the connecting member 31 hits the side surface 14b when it is turned 90 ° counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 to 3 from the first turning position about the first turning axis L1. Therefore, when the connecting member 31 is located at the second position, the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 31 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1, and the other half of the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 31 is half. (Half on the second rotation axis L2 side) protrudes from the first housing recess 14 to the outside.

  A second housing recess 15 is formed on the lower surface 2 b of the second housing 2. The second housing recess 15 is formed along the side surface 2 c and is disposed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the second housing 2. A side portion on the side surface 2c side of the second housing recess 15 is opened to the outside from the side surface 2c. The depth of the second housing recess 15 is set to approximately half the thickness of the connecting member 31. Therefore, the second accommodation recess 15 can accommodate the other side portion protruding from the first accommodation recess 14 of the connecting member 31.

  The other end portion of the connection member 31 is accommodated in the other end portion (the end portion on the side surface 2f side) of the second accommodation recess 15 so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis L2. The rotation range of the second housing 2 with respect to the connecting member 31 is limited between the third rotation position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the fourth rotation position shown in FIG. 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the third rotation position of the second housing 2 is such that the side surface 15 a of the second housing recess 15 extending parallel to the side surface 2 c of the second housing 2 is the side surface 31 c of the connecting member 31. It is determined by hitting. When the second housing 2 is located at the third rotation position, the longitudinal directions of the second housing 2 and the connecting member 31 are coincident with each other, and the side surface 2c of the second housing 2 is It is located on the same plane (vertical plane) as the side surface 3d. In addition, in the plan view, the entire connecting member 31 is accommodated in the second accommodating recess 15. However, since the depth of the second housing recess 15 is half of the thickness of the connecting member 31, the second housing recess 15 has the other side of the connecting member 31 in the direction of the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2. Only the department is accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fourth rotation position of the second housing 2 is such that the side surface 15 b of the second housing recess 15 that is orthogonal to the side surface 2 c of the second housing 2 hits the side surface 31 d of the connecting member 31. The second housing 2 abuts against the side surface 31d when it is rotated 90 ° counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 to 3 from the third rotation position about the second rotation axis L2. Therefore, when the second housing 2 is located at the fourth rotation position, the longitudinal direction of the second housing 2 and the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 31 are orthogonal to each other, and half the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 31 ( Half of the first rotation axis L1 side) protrudes from the second housing recess 15 to the outside.

  In the game machine A configured as described above, it is assumed that the second housing 2 is currently positioned at the overlapping position. At this time, the connection member 31 is located at the first rotation position with respect to the first housing 1, and the second case 2 is located at the third rotation position with respect to the connection member 31. In other words, the connecting member 31 is positioned at the first rotation position with respect to the first casing 1 and is positioned at the third rotation position with respect to the second casing 2, whereby the second casing 2 is located at an overlapping position with respect to the first housing 1.

  When the connecting member 31 is rotated by 90 ° counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 to 3 around the first rotation axis L1 from the first rotation position, the connection member 31 reaches the second rotation position and stops. To do. At this time, the second casing 2 maintains a stopped state with respect to the connecting member 31, but the first casing 1 is centered on the first rotation axis L <b> 1 as the connecting member 31 rotates. Revolve 90 degrees. Therefore, when the connecting member 31 is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position with the second casing 2 stopped at the third rotation position, the second casing 2 is positioned at the intermediate position. To do.

  When the second housing 2 positioned at the intermediate position is rotated by 90 ° in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 from the third rotation position with respect to the connecting member 31, that is, the second housing 2 is moved to the second rotation axis. When it rotates counterclockwise by 90 ° around L2, the second housing 2 reaches the fourth rotation position and stops. At this time, the second housing 2 is located at the deployed position. Therefore, the second housing 2 can be positioned at the unfolded position by positioning the connecting member 31 at the second rotating position and positioning the second housing 2 at the fourth rotating position. When returning the second housing 2 located at the unfolded position to the overlapping position, the second housing 2 and the connecting member 31 may be sequentially rotated in the clockwise direction in the reverse procedure to the above.

  In the gaming machine A configured as described above, the first and second housings 1 and 2 are vertically moved so that the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1 and the lower surface 2b of the second housing 2 are substantially in contact with each other or separated from each other. Since the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 are arranged at different positions, the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 are connected to the first and second housings 1 and 2, respectively. The first and second casings 1 and 2 can be rotated so as to overlap each other only by being pivotably connected as the center, and no other hinge device or the like is required. Therefore, the structure of the game machine A can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the game machine A.

  Also, assuming that the first and second housing recesses 14 and 15 are not formed in the first and second housings 1 and 2, the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1 and the lower surface 2b of the second housing 2 are assumed. When the connecting member 31 is arranged between the upper surface 1a and the lower surface 2b, it is necessary to separate the upper surface 1a and the lower surface 2b in the vertical direction (the first and second rotation axes L1, L2 directions) by the thickness of the connecting member 31. There is. However, in this embodiment, the one side and the other side in the thickness direction of the connecting member 31 are accommodated in the first and second accommodating recesses 14 and 15, respectively. 1a and the lower surface 2b of the second housing 2 can be substantially brought into contact with each other without being separated by the thickness of the connecting member 31. As a result, the thickness of the entire game machine A can be reduced.

  In the game machine A, the first and second housing recesses 14 and 15 are formed in the first and second housings 1 and 2, respectively, and the thickness direction of the connecting member 31 is formed in each of the housing recesses 14 and 15. One side and the other side (in the directions of the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2) are respectively accommodated, but the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1 and the lower surface 2b of the second housing 2 are accommodated. An accommodation recess having a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the connection member 31 may be formed in either one of the housings, and the connection member 31 may be accommodated in the accommodation recess.

  11 and 12 show a second reference example of a portable device developed before the portable device in which the hinge device according to the present invention is used. In the game machine (portable device) B of this reference example, the housing recess 16 is formed in the first housing 1. When viewed in plan, the housing recess 16 has the same shape as the first housing recess 14 of the above embodiment, and is disposed at the same position in the horizontal direction. However, the accommodation recessed part 16 is arrange | positioned in the center part of the side surface 1c of the 1st housing | casing 1, and only one side part is open | released outside from the side surface 1c. Moreover, the internal dimension in the vertical direction of the housing recess 16 is set to be approximately equal to the external dimension of the connecting member 31. One end portion of the connecting member 31 is accommodated at the left end in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating recess 16, and the one end portion of the connecting member 31 has the first casing 1 aligned with the first rotation axis L <b> 1. It is connected via a shaft 17 so as to be rotatable. The other end portion of the connecting member 31 is housed in the right end portion of the housing recess 16 so as to be able to appear and retract. The other end portion of the connecting member 31 is provided with a lower end portion of the shaft 18 whose axis is aligned with the second rotation axis L2. The upper end portion of the shaft 18 protrudes upward from the connecting member 31 and is connected to the second housing 2. The shaft 18 is rotatably connected to at least one of the connecting member 31 and the second housing 2. In this reference example, the shaft 18 is non-rotatably connected to the connecting member 31 and is rotatably connected to the second housing 2.

  A part of the shaft 18 is located at the same position in the vertical direction as the upper part from the housing recess 16 of the first housing 1. For this reason, if the guide groove 19 described later is not formed, when the second housing 2 is rotated from the unfolded position shown in FIG. It will abut against the side surface 1c of the first housing 1, and the second housing 2 cannot be rotated any further. Therefore, in the game machine B, the guide groove 19 is formed in the first housing 1. The guide groove 19 extends from the upper surface 1a to the accommodating recess 16 in the up-down direction, and extends in the front-rear direction on a circumference centered on the first rotation axis L1 and having the same radius of curvature as the center-to-center distance Cd. It extends from the side surface 1c toward the side surface 1d. Moreover, the guide groove 19 has a width that is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 18. Therefore, when the second housing 2 is rotated from the developed position toward the intermediate position about the second rotation axis L <b> 2 to a predetermined position, the shaft 18 enters the guide groove 19. Of course, the guide groove 19 has a length that can accommodate the shaft 18 until the second housing 2 is rotated to the intermediate position. Therefore, the second housing 2 can be rotated from the deployed position to the intermediate position.

  The first and second rotation positions, which are the rotation limit positions of the connection member 31 with respect to the first housing 1, are determined by the connection member 31 abutting against the side surface 16 a and the side surface 16 b of the housing recess 16. The third and fourth rotation positions, which are the rotation limit positions with respect to the connecting member 31 of the second housing 2, are first and second stopper portions (see FIG. 5) provided between the second housing 2 and the shaft 18. Respectively). Other configurations are the same as those of the first reference example.

  13 to 22 show a game machine in which the first embodiment of the hinge device according to the present invention is used. In this game machine (portable device) C, the hinge device 4 according to the present invention is used instead of the hinge device 3. By this hinge device 4, the second housing 2 is connected to the first housing 1 so as to be rotatable between the overlapping position shown in FIG. 13, the intermediate position shown in FIG. 15, and the deployed position shown in FIG. 16. ing. In the game machine C of the first example, four push buttons 12 are provided, but only two push buttons 12 may be provided in the same manner as in the above reference example.

  In order to use the hinge device 4 in place of the hinge device 3, in the game machine C of the first example, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 17, the protruding portion 1 i is formed on the side surface 1 c of the first housing 1. Yes. The protrusion 1i has a circular arc shape in plan view. The center of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion 1i is located at the center in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) of the first housing 1 and spaced from the side surface 1c by a predetermined distance toward the side surface 1d. The separation distance from the curvature center side surface 1c of the protrusion 1i is smaller than the distance between the curvature center and the center of the first housing 1 in the front-rear direction (short direction). That is, the center of curvature of the protruding portion 1 i is disposed at a position closer to the side surface 1 c than the central portion in the front-rear direction of the first housing 1. As will be described later, an axis that passes through the center of curvature of the protruding portion 1i and is orthogonal to the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1 is the first rotation axis L1.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a housing hole 1 j having a circular cross section is formed in the upper surface 1 a of the first housing 1. The accommodation hole 1j has a large-diameter hole 1k formed in the upper surface 1a and a small-diameter hole 1l formed in the bottom surface of the large-diameter hole 1k. The large-diameter hole portion 1k and the small-diameter hole portion 1l are arranged with their respective axes aligned with the center of curvature of the protruding portion 1i, that is, aligned with the first rotation axis L1. Positioning recesses 1m having the same depth as the large-diameter hole 1k are formed on both the left and right sides of the large-diameter hole 1k in a state of communicating with the large-diameter hole 1k. The inner diameter of the small diameter hole 1l is smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter hole 1k.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a positioning hole 2 g having a circular cross section with a small depth is formed in the lower surface 2 b of the second housing 2. The center of the positioning hole 2g is the center of the second casing 2 in the longitudinal direction, and is arranged at a position separated by a predetermined distance from the side surface 2c toward the side surface 2d. The distance between the center of the positioning hole 2g and the side surface 2c is set to the same distance as the distance between the accommodation hole 1j and the side surface 1c. The center of the positioning hole 2g coincides with the second rotation axis L2.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the hinge device 4 includes a first hinge member 41, a first support member (support member) 42, a second hinge member 43, and a second support member (support member) 44. .

The first hinge member 41 is formed in a thin ring shape. The outer diameter of the first hinge member 41 is set to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the large-diameter hole 1k, and the thickness of the first hinge member 41 is equal to or slightly thicker than the depth of the large-diameter hole 1k. . An internal gear portion (first gear portion) 41 a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first hinge member 41. On the outer peripheral surface of the first hinge member 41, a pair of attachment portions (first attachment portions) 41b and 41b are formed 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction. The first hinge member 41 is fitted in the large-diameter hole 1k with almost no gap, and is positioned by inserting the attachment portion 41b into the positioning recess 1m · BR>. And attachment part 41b
The first hinge member 41 is attached to the first housing 1 by tightening a bolt (not shown) that passes through the insertion hole 41c and is screwed into the screw hole 1n (see FIG. 18) of the first housing 1. It is fixed. In a state where the first hinge member 41 is fixed to the first housing 1, the axis of the first hinge member 41, that is, the axis of the internal gear portion 41a is made to coincide with the first rotation axis L1. Further, since the thickness of the first hinge member 41 is substantially the same as or slightly thicker than the depth of the large-diameter hole portion 1k, the upper surface of the first hinge member 41 is located on the same plane as the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1. Or it protrudes slightly upward from the upper surface 1a.

  The first support member 42 has a thin disk shape, and has a large-diameter portion 42a and a small-diameter portion (fitting portion) 42b that are formed coaxially with each other. The large-diameter portion 42a is fitted in the small-diameter hole portion 11 so that there is almost no gap and can be rotated. Therefore, the first support member 42 can rotate with respect to the first housing 1 around the first rotation axis L1. The thickness of the large diameter portion 42a is substantially the same as the depth of the small diameter hole portion 1l. Accordingly, both the upper and lower surfaces of the large diameter portion 42a abut against the bottom surface of the small diameter hole portion 11 and the first hinge member 41 with almost no gap, so that the first support member 42 contacts the first housing 1 for the first time. It is held substantially immovable in the direction of the movement axis L1.

  The small diameter portion 42b of the first support member 42 has substantially the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the internal gear portion 41a of the first hinge member 41, and is rotatably fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the internal gear portion 41a. ing. The thickness of the small diameter portion 42b is almost equal to or slightly thicker than the thickness of the first hinge member 41. Therefore, the upper surface of the small-diameter portion 42 b is located on the same plane as the upper surface of the first hinge member 41 or slightly protrudes upward from the upper surface of the first hinge member 41. The small-diameter portion 42b is formed with a circular accommodating recess (accommodating portion) 42c. The housing recess 42 c is disposed such that its inner peripheral surface is in contact with the axis of the first support member 42. Moreover, the inner diameter of the accommodating recess 42c is set to be larger than the radius of the small diameter portion 42b. Therefore, the one side part of the outer side of the accommodation recessed part 42c is open | released outside from the one side part outer peripheral surface of the small diameter part 42b. The inner diameter of the accommodating recess 42c is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of an outer gear portion 43a (described later) of the second hinge member 43.

  The second hinge member 43 has an external gear part (second gear part) 43a and a boss part (second attachment part) 43b formed coaxially with each other. The external gear portion 43a has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the housing recess 42c, and is rotatably accommodated in the housing recess 42c. A part on the outer peripheral side of the outer gear portion 43a protrudes to the outside from the opening portion of the housing recess 42c, and meshes with the inner gear portion 41a at the protruding portion. Therefore, the second hinge member 43 revolves around the axis of the second hinge member 43 itself (this axis is the second rotation axis L2) while revolving around the first rotation axis L1. . When the second hinge member 43 revolves, the first support member 42 that accommodates the second hinge member 43 in the accommodating recess 42c rotates about the first rotation axis L1 together with the second hinge member 43. The number of teeth of the external gear portion 43a is set to half the number of teeth of the internal gear portion 41a. Therefore, if the meshing pitch circle diameter of the internal gear portion 41a with the external gear portion 43a is Dc, the axis of the external gear portion 43a is a distance D / from the axis of the internal gear portion 41a, that is, the first rotation axis L1. 2 apart. The thickness of the external gear portion 43 a is set to be substantially the same as the thickness of the small diameter portion 42 b of the first support member 42. Therefore, if the second hinge member 43 is in direct contact with the bottom surface of the housing recess 42c, the top surface of the external gear portion 43a should be flush with the top surface of the small diameter portion 42b. However, as will be described later, the second hinge member 43 contacts the bottom surface of the housing recess 42c via a sphere 52 described later. Therefore, the upper surface of the external gear portion 43a is located above the upper surface of the small diameter portion 42b. The outer diameter of the boss portion 43b is set to be slightly smaller than the root diameter of the outer gear portion 43a. The upper surface of the boss portion 43 b protrudes upward from the upper surface of the first hinge member 41 by a predetermined distance.

  The second support member 44 is formed as a thin disk and is disposed concentrically with the first support member 42. A holding hole 44 a is formed in one side portion in the radial direction of the second support member 44. A boss 43b of the second hinge member 43 is rotatably inserted into the holding hole 44a. The other side portion of the second support member 44 in the radial direction is pressed against the upper surface of the small diameter portion 42b of the first support member 42 and is fixed to the first support member 42 by a fixing member 45 such as a rivet or eyelet. One side portion in the radial direction of the second support member 44 is pressed against the upper surface of the external gear portion 43a. Therefore, the 1st, 2nd support members 42 and 44 hold | maintain so that rotation is possible in the state which clamped the external gear part 43a up and down. As a result, the internal gear portion 41a and the external gear portion 43a are always kept in mesh with each other by the first and second support members 42 and 44.

  Since the upper surface of the external gear portion 43a of the second hinge member 43 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the small diameter portion 42b of the first support member 42, one side portion of the second support member 44 fixed to the upper surface of the small diameter portion 42b. Is in press contact with the upper surface of the external gear portion 43a in an elastically deformed state, and constantly urges the second hinge member 43 downward by the elastic force. In order to adjust the urging force of the second support member 44 to an appropriate size, the second support member 44 has a length extending in a semicircular shape along the holding hole 44a on the other side of the holding hole 44a. A hole 44b is formed.

  An upper end portion of the boss portion 43 b protruding upward from the holding hole 44 a is fitted into the positioning hole 2 g of the second housing 2. As a result, the axis of the second hinge member 43 is aligned with the second rotation axis L2. Moreover, a bolt (not shown) that passes through the insertion hole 21 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) of the second housing 2 and is screwed into the screw hole 43c of the boss portion 43b is tightened to the boss portion 43b. Thus, the second housing 2 is fixed. As a result, the second housing 2 is connected to the first housing 1 so as to be revolved around the first rotation axis L1 and to be able to rotate about the second rotation axis L2. In addition, when the 2nd housing | casing 2 rotates with respect to the 1st housing | casing 1, the 1st, 2nd support members 42 and 44 are prevented so that the 1st and 2nd support members 42 and 44 may not interfere with the rotation. Is rotatable with respect to the first and second housings 1 and 2.

  As described above, the first rotation axis L1 is located at the center of the first housing 1 in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction of the first housing 1), and the front-rear direction (short direction of the first housing 1). ) With respect to the side surface 1c from the center of the first housing 1. Further, the second rotation axis L2 is located at the center in the longitudinal direction of the second casing 2, and the internal gear portion 41a is located at a distance between the side surface 1c and the first rotation axis L1 in the lateral direction. And the external gear portion 43a are arranged at positions separated from the side surface 2c by a distance obtained by adding the distance between the centers of the two and the external gear portion 43a. Moreover, the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 are such that when the second casing 2 is rotated to the overlapping position shown in FIG. 13, the entire second casing 2 excludes the protruding portion 1i. When the second casing 2 is rotated vertically to the intermediate position shown in FIG. 15, the left and right ends provided with the operation buttons 11 and the push buttons 12 are exposed to the outside. Is located at the center in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1 and when the second housing 2 is rotated to the unfolded position, the side of the first housing 1 on the side surface 1c side and the side surface of the second housing 2 It arrange | positions so that the 2c side part may overlap up and down. The overlapping width of the first and second casings 1 and 2 when the second casing 2 is rotated to the deployed position (the overlapping width in the short direction of the first and second casings 1 and 2) is the first It can be reduced by bringing the rotation axis L1 closer to the side surface 1c or by bringing the second rotation axis L2 closer to the side surface 2c.

  A through hole 43d that penetrates the second hinge member 43 up and down is formed at the center of the second hinge member 43, and the through hole 42d is formed at a location facing the through hole 43d of the first support member 42. Is formed. A wire harness (not shown) for connecting an electronic component (for example, the display unit 13) provided in each of the first and second housings 1 and 2 is inserted through the through holes 43d and 42d.

  When the second casing 2 is positioned at each of the overlapping position, the intermediate position, and the deployed position, the first supporting member 42 and the second hinge member are used to stop the second casing 2 at each position with a click feeling. A click mechanism 5 is provided between the terminal 43 and the terminal 43. That is, as shown in FIG. 22, four engaging recesses 51 having a substantially hemispherical shape are formed on the bottom surface of the receiving recess 42c. The respective engagement recesses 51 are arranged 90 ° apart from each other in the circumferential direction on the circumference centering on the axis (second rotation axis L2) of the accommodation recess 42c. On the other hand, four spheres 52 are embedded in the lower surface of the second hinge member 43 facing the bottom surface of the housing recess 42c with substantially half of the spheres 52 protruding downward. The respective spheres 52 are arranged 90 ° apart from each other in the circumferential direction on the same circumference as the circumference where the engaging recess 51 is arranged. Moreover, the outer diameter of the sphere 52 is set to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the engagement recess 51, and when the second housing 2 is positioned at the overlapping position, the four spheres 52 and the four engagement recesses 51 respectively. It arrange | positions so that it may be located in the same position in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the second housing 2 is positioned at each of the overlapping position, the intermediate position, and the deployed position, the four spheres 52 are fitted into any of the four engagement recesses 51 by the urging force of the second support member 44. , Butts against the peripheral edge of each engaging recess 51. As a result, the second hinge member 43 is stopped by the first support member 42 with a click feeling with a predetermined amount of force. As a result, the second housing 2 fixed to the second hinge member 43 is stopped with a click feeling by the first housing 1 with a predetermined amount of force at each of the overlapping position, the intermediate position, and the deployed position. .

  When the spherical body 52 protrudes and retracts in the engaging recess 51 as the second hinge member 43 rotates, the second hinge member 43 moves in the direction of the second rotation axis L2 by the amount of the protrusion and protrusion, and as a result, the second housing. 2 moves in the same direction. Such movement of the second housing 2 can be eliminated, for example, by making the second support member 44 a rigid body that hardly elastically deforms, while forming the first support member 42 elastically deformable.

  Between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2, first and second locking mechanisms (both not shown) are provided. When the second housing 2 is rotated by a predetermined minute angle (a minute angle at which the sphere 52 does not escape from the engaging recess 51) beyond the overlapping position in the direction from the unfolded position to the overlapping position, the second casing 2 is further increased. The rotation in the same direction is prevented by the first locking mechanism. Further, when the second housing 2 is rotated by a predetermined minute angle (a minute angle such that the sphere 52 does not escape from the engaging recess 51) beyond the deployed position in the direction from the overlapping position to the deployed position, the second casing 2 is further increased. The rotation in the same direction is prevented by the second locking mechanism. Accordingly, the rotation range of the second housing 2 is substantially limited between the overlapping position and the deployed position.

  23 and 24 show a hinge device 4A as a modification of the hinge device 4. FIG. That is, 2nd Embodiment of the hinge apparatus based on this invention is shown. The hinge device 4A has functions of first and second locking mechanisms provided between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 of the game machine C of the first example. In order to have such a function, in the hinge device 4A, a locking projection 41d is provided on the outer peripheral side of the upper surface of the first hinge member 41, and an engaging protrusion 44c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second support member 44. Is formed. This engagement protrusion 44c extends in the circumferential direction with a length of a little less than a half circumference, and when the second housing 2 rotates slightly beyond the overlap position in the direction from the deployment position to the overlap position, the engagement protrusion 44c. One end surface 44d in the circumferential direction of the portion 44c abuts against the locking projection 41d to prevent the second housing 2 from rotating in the same direction, and the second housing 2 is deployed in the direction from the overlapping position toward the deployed position. Is slightly exceeded, the other end surface 44e in the circumferential direction of the engaging protrusion 44c abuts against the locking protrusion 41d, thereby preventing the second housing 2 from rotating in the same direction. Other configurations are the same as those of the hinge device 4.

  25 and 26 show a hinge device 4B as another modification of the hinge device 4. FIG. That is, a third embodiment of the hinge device according to the present invention is shown. The hinge device 4B is configured to limit the rotation range of the second housing 2 relative to the first housing 1 to a range of 360 ° with the overlapping positions as both ends. That is, a guide groove 41 e extending in the circumferential direction or the tangential direction is formed on the outer peripheral side of the upper surface of the first hinge member 41. In the guide groove 41e, the lower end portion of the locking member 46 is accommodated so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 41e. An engagement protrusion 44 f is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second support member 44. When the second housing 2 rotates in one direction and reaches the vicinity of the overlapping position, the engaging projection 44f hits one end surface of the locking member 46, and the locking member 46 is brought into one end of the guide groove 41e. Move towards. When the second housing 2 slightly exceeds the overlapping position, the locking member 46 abuts against one end surface in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 41e. Thereby, the further rotation of the second housing 2 in the same direction is prevented. When the second housing 2 is rotated approximately 360 ° in the other direction from the position where the second housing 2 is prevented from rotating in one direction and reaches the vicinity of the overlapping position, the engaging protrusion 44f is formed on the other end surface of the locking member 46. At the end, the locking member 46 is moved toward the other end of the guide groove 41e. When the second housing 2 rotates slightly in the other direction beyond the overlapping position, the locking member 46 abuts against the other end surface of the guide groove 41e. As a result, the second casing 2 is prevented from further rotating in the other direction. As a result, the rotation range of the second housing 2 is substantially limited to a range of 360 ° with the overlapping position as both ends of the rotation range.

  27 to 41 show a game machine in which the fourth embodiment of the hinge device according to the present invention is used. Also in this game machine (portable device) D, as shown in FIGS. 27 to 29, the second housing 2 is in a state from the overlapped position with respect to the first housing 1 through the intermediate position to the deployed position. Can be rotated. This is the same as the game machines A to C described above. However, in this game machine D, the use of the hinge device 6 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention eliminates the need to form the projecting portion 1 i in the first housing 1. Moreover, when the second housing 2 is located at the unfolded position, the third housing 2 extends in a direction perpendicular to the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 and extends in parallel with the side surface 1c of the first housing 1. It is possible to rotate between the parallel position shown in FIG. 30 and the inclined position shown in FIG. 31 around the movement axis L3. The parallel position of the second housing 2 is regulated by the lower surface 2 b of the second housing 2 abutting against the upper surface 1 a of the first housing 1. The inclined position of the second housing 2 is regulated by the inclined surface 2k formed at the intersection of the lower surface 2b and the side surface 2c of the second housing 2 abutting against the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1. Since the lower surface 2b of the second housing 2 is substantially in contact with the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1 at a position other than the deployed position, the second housing 2 does not rotate about the third rotation axis L3. If the 2nd housing | casing 2 is located in an inclination position, it will become easy to see a display part (refer FIG. 1) compared with the case where it is located in a parallel position.

  The configuration of the game machine D will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 32, an accommodation recess 1 o is formed on the upper surface 1 a of the first housing 1. The housing recess 1o is disposed in the vicinity of the side surface 1c. The second housing 2 includes a lower housing portion 2A and an upper housing portion 2B, both of which are fixed by fixing means (not shown) such as bolts. A housing hole 2h is formed on the upper surface of the lower housing portion 2A. The distance between the center of the accommodation hole 2h and the side surface 2c is smaller than the radius of the accommodation hole 2h. As a result, one side portion of the accommodation hole 2h is opened from the side surface 2c. A through hole 2i is formed on the bottom surface of the accommodation hole 2h. The through hole 2i is arranged concentrically with the accommodation hole 2h, and its radius is set slightly smaller than the distance between the accommodation hole 2h and the side surface 1c. Accordingly, the through hole 2i maintains a circular diameter. A positioning recess 2j is formed on the upper surface of the lower housing 2A. One side of the positioning recess 2j is opened to the accommodation hole 2h.

  As shown in FIGS. 32 to 38, the hinge device 6 has a base frame (base portion) 61. The base frame 61 is housed in the housing recess 1o, and the lower surface portion (first mounting portion) 61a is pressed and fixed to the bottom surface of the housing recess 1o by a fixing means (not shown) such as a bolt. In the base frame 61, one side portion of the rotation member 62 is rotatably provided via a shaft 63. The shaft 63 extends in a direction parallel to the side surface 1c and perpendicular to the rotation axes L1 and L2. The axis of the shaft 63 is the third rotation axis L3. Here, the rotation member 62 is connected to the second housing 2 as described later, and rotates integrally with the second housing 2 with respect to the third rotation axis L3. Therefore, the rotation range around the third rotation axis L3 of the rotation member 62 is the same as the rotation range of the second housing 2 and is between the parallel position and the inclined position.

  As shown in FIG. 38, between one end and the other end of the base frame 61 and the rotation member 62, an engagement hole 71 provided in the base frame 61 and a coil provided in the rotation member 62. A click mechanism 7 including a spring 72, a push rod 73, and a sphere 74 is provided. By this click mechanism 7, the rotating member 62 and the second housing 2 are stopped with a click feeling at the parallel position and the inclined position.

  A mounting hole 62 b is formed on the other side of the upper surface 62 a of the rotating member 62. A lower shaft portion 64a formed at the lower end portion of the gear 64 is fitted and fixed in the mounting hole 62b. Therefore, the gear 64 rotates integrally with the rotation member 62 about the third rotation axis L3. The gear 64 has an external gear portion (first gear portion) 64b. The external gear portion 64b enters the accommodation hole 2h through the through hole 2i. The axis of the external gear portion 64b is the first rotation axis L1. Therefore, the gear 64 is non-rotatably connected to the base frame 61 with respect to the first rotation axis L1, and is rotatably connected to the base frame 61 with respect to the third rotation axis L3. The base frame 61, the rotation member 62, the shaft 63, and the gear 64 constitute a first hinge member.

  When the rotation member 62 rotates from the parallel position around the third rotation axis L3, the gear 64 fixed to the rotation member 62 also rotates, and the first rotation axis L1 becomes the first housing 1. Tilt against. Therefore, in this state, it deviates from the principle that the first rotation axis L <b> 1 is fixed to the first housing 1. However, when the rotation member 62 rotates about the third rotation axis L3 and is positioned at a position other than the parallel position, the rotation member 62 (second housing 2) is the first rotation axis L1. Does not rotate around the center. When the second casing 2 rotates about the first rotation axis L1, the first rotation axis L1 is fixed to the first casing 1.

  A second hinge member 65 is fitted in the accommodation hole 2 h of the second housing 2. The second hinge member 65 has a “C” shape, and is disposed in a state in which the opening portion is oriented in the same direction as the opening portion of the accommodation hole 2 h. A mounting portion (second mounting portion) 65 a is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the second hinge member 65. The attachment portion 65a is fitted in the positioning recess 2j. The second hinge member 65 is fixed to the second housing 2 by a bolt that passes through the attachment portion 65 a and is screwed into the second housing 2.

  An internal gear portion (second gear portion) 65 b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second hinge member 65. The axis of the internal gear portion 65b is the second rotation axis L2, and the internal gear portion 65b meshes with the external gear portion 64b of the gear 64. When the internal gear portion 65b meshes with the external gear portion 64b, the second hinge member 65 rotates about the second rotation axis L2 and revolves about the first rotation axis L1. As a result, the second casing 2 fixed to the second hinge member 65 moves from the overlapping position shown in FIG. 27 to the first casing 1 with the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 as the center in FIG. It rotates through the intermediate position shown to the deployment position shown in FIG. The internal gear portion 65b has a “C” shape, but as long as the second hinge member 65 rotates between the overlapping position and the deployed position, the external gear portion 64b is the internal gear portion 65b. Never reach the opening. In consideration of this point, the second hinge member 65 is formed in a “C” shape, so that the protrusion 1 i of the above-described embodiment is not necessary.

  A short cylindrical portion 66a formed on the upper surface of the lower support member (support member) 66A is rotatably inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the second hinge member 65 (internal gear portion 65b) with a predetermined gap. The lower support member 66 </ b> A is in contact with the lower end surface of the second hinge member 65 via the reinforcing member 67. A short cylindrical portion (fitting portion) 66b formed on the lower surface of the upper support member (support member) 66B is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the second hinge member 65 so as to be rotatable. The short tube portion 66a is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the short tube portion 66b. The lower support member 66A and the upper support member 66B are fixed to each other by a fixing means (not shown) such as a bolt in a state where the second hinge member 65 is substantially clamped in the vertical direction (first and second rotation axis directions). ing. As a result, the lower support member 66A and the upper support member 66B are connected to the second hinge member 65 such that the lower support member 66A and the upper support member 66B can rotate about the second rotation axis L2 and cannot move in the direction of the second rotation axis L2. .

  A housing space (housing portion) (not shown) is formed by the upper surface of the lower support member 66A, the short cylindrical portion 66a, and the lower surface of the upper support member 66B. In this accommodation space, the external gear portion 64b of the gear 64 is accommodated rotatably. One side portion of the outer peripheral portion of the external gear portion 64b protrudes outside from the accommodation space, and meshes with the internal gear portion 65b at the protruding one side portion.

  A through hole 66c is formed in the lower support member 66A, and a through hole 66d is formed in the upper support member 66B. The lower shaft portion 64a and the upper shaft portion 64c of the gear 64 are fitted in the through holes 66c and 66d so as to be rotatable. As a result, the gear 64 is rotatably supported by the upper and lower support members 66A and 66B, and the outer gear portion 64b and the inner gear portion 65b are always kept in mesh. In addition, the gear 64 and the second hinge member 65 are connected to each other through the support members 66A and 66B so as not to be separated, and the entire hinge device 6 is unitized.

  A leaf spring 68 is provided between the lower support member 66A and the external gear portion 64b. The leaf spring 68 biases the lower support member 66A and the upper support member 66B downward, while the gear 64 is biased upward. A click mechanism 8 is provided between the upper surface of the external gear portion 64b and the lower surface of the upper support member 66B. In addition to the leaf spring 68, the click mechanism 8 includes two spherical bodies 81 and 82 provided on the lower surface of the upper support member 66B, a guide groove 83 provided on the upper surface of the external gear portion 64b, and four engagement recesses 84 and 85. , 86, 87.

  The leaf spring 68 may be provided between the upper support member 66B and the external gear portion 64b. In that case, the click mechanism 8 is provided between the lower surface of the external gear portion 64b and the upper surface of the lower support member 66A. Further, the two spheres 81 and 82 may be provided in the external gear portion 64b, and the guide groove 83 and the engagement concave portions 84 to 87 may be provided on the lower surface of the upper support member 66B.

  The two spheres 81 and 82 are disposed on the lower surface of the upper support member 66B at a predetermined angle α in the circumferential direction. Here, the angle α is set to be the same as the angle at which the internal gear portion 65b rotates around the first rotation axis L1 when the second casing 2 rotates from the overlapping position to the deployed position. Each of the spheres 81 and 82 is disposed so as not to move in the circumferential direction of the upper support member 66B and to move in the radial direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 39 to 41, the guide groove 83 extends in a spiral shape around the axis of the external gear portion 64 b (first rotation axis L <b> 1). An engagement recess 84 is disposed at one end of the guide groove 83, engagement recesses 85, 86 are sequentially disposed at an intermediate portion of the guide groove 83, and an engagement recess 87 is disposed at the other end of the guide groove 83. Is arranged. As shown in FIG. 39, when the second housing 2 is positioned at the overlapping position, the engaging recesses 84 to 87 are fitted into the engaging recesses 84 and 85, respectively, as shown in FIG. When 2 is positioned at the intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 40, the spheres 81 and 82 are fitted into the engaging recesses 85 and 86, respectively, and when the second casing 2 is positioned at the deployed position, 41, the spheres 81 and 82 are arranged so as to fit into the engaging recesses 86 and 87, respectively. Therefore, the second casing 2 is fixed to the first housing 1 with a click feeling by the urging force of the leaf spring 68 at any of the overlapping position, the intermediate position, and the deployed position.

  42 to 52 show a game machine in which a fifth embodiment of the hinge device according to the present invention is used. Also in this game machine (portable device) E, as shown in FIGS. 42 to 44, the second housing 2 extends from the overlapped position to the deployed position via the intermediate position with respect to the first housing 1. Can be rotated. This is the same as the game machines A to C described above. However, in this game machine E, the first housing 1 is composed of the lower housing portion 1A and the upper housing portion 1B, and the lower housing portion 1A and the upper housing portion 1B include screws Bs and the like. Are fixed to each other by the fixing means. A mounting recess 1p is formed in the upper surface (the upper surface of the first housing 1) 1a of the upper housing portion 1B. The mounting recess 1p has an oval shape and is disposed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 1a. Moreover, it is disposed close to and parallel to the side surface 1c. A hinge device 9 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is attached to the attachment recess 1p. And the 2nd housing | casing 2 is connected with the 1st housing | casing 1 via this hinge apparatus 9 so that rotation between an overlapping position and a deployment position is possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 46 to 52, the hinge device 9 includes a first hinge member 91, a second hinge member 92, a support member 93, first and second external gear portions 94 and 95, and a pair of idle gears 96 and 96. And a click mechanism 100.

  The first hinge member 91 is composed of a flat plate having an oval shape in plan view, and most of the lower side except a part of the upper end side thereof is fitted into the mounting recess 1p, and is fixed by a fixing means such as a screw Bs. It is fixed to one housing 1. As is clear from this, the lower portion 91a of the first hinge member 91 fitted in the mounting recess 1p is the first mounting portion. A connecting cylinder portion 91 b is formed at the center of the upper surface of the first hinge member 91. The axis of the connecting cylinder portion 91b is the first rotation axis L1.

The support member 93 is composed of first to fourth support plates 93A to 93D.
The first to fourth support plates 93 </ b> A to 93 </ b> D are thin discs having the same outer diameter, are overlapped with each other with their axes aligned, and are fixed to each other by fixing means such as screws Bs. . The axis of the support member 93 is the second rotation axis L2. The second rotation axis L2 is separated from the first rotation axis L1 by a predetermined distance in the radial direction of the support member 93.

  Connection holes 93a and 93b are formed in the first and second support plates 93A and 93B, respectively. The connection holes 93a and 93b are arranged with their axes aligned with the first rotation axis L1. The connecting cylindrical portion 91b of the first hinge member 91 is fitted in the connecting holes 93a and 93b so as to be rotatable. Accordingly, the support member 93 is connected to the first hinge member 91 so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis L1.

  The second support plate 93B is formed with an oval spring accommodating hole 93c. The spring accommodating hole 93c is disposed between the first rotation axis L1 and the second rotation axis L2. Moreover, the spring accommodating hole 93c is arranged with its longitudinal direction oriented in a direction orthogonal to the line connecting the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2. A spring member 98 is accommodated in the spring accommodation hole 93c. The spring member 98 will be described later.

  A gear receiving hole 93d is formed in the third support plate 93C. The gear receiving hole 93d is arranged so that the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 pass through the gear receiving hole 93d. One side portion of the gear receiving hole 93d on the first rotation axis L1 side is open to the outside from the outer peripheral surface of the third support plate 93C. This is to make the outer diameter of the third support plate 93C and thus the support member 93 as small as possible. Therefore, when it is not so important to reduce the diameter of the support member 93, it is not always necessary to open one side of the gear housing hole 93d to the outside.

  First and second gear portions 94 and 95 and a pair of idle gears 96 and 96 are rotatably accommodated in the gear accommodation hole 93d.

  The first external gear portion 94 is disposed in a state in which the axis thereof coincides with the first rotation axis L1. Moreover, the first external gear portion 94 is non-rotatably connected to the first hinge member 91 via a fixed shaft 101 described later. Therefore, the first external gear portion 94 rotates relative to the support member 93 around the first rotation axis L1.

  The second external gear portion 95 is arranged in a state in which the axis line thereof coincides with the second rotation axis line L2. Moreover, the second external gear portion 95 is rotatably supported by the second and fourth support plates 93B and 93D. As a result, the second external gear portion 95 is connected to the first external gear portion 94 via the support member 93 so as to be revolved around the first rotation axis L1.

  The pair of idle gears 96, 96 are arranged with their axes parallel to the first and second rotation axes L1, L2. In addition, the idle gears 96, 96 are disposed on both sides of a line perpendicular to the axis (first and second rotation axis L1, L2) of the first and second external gear portions 94, 95. , Both mesh with the first and second external gear portions 94 and 95.

  The pair of idle gears 96, 96 are supported by the second and fourth support plates 93B, 93D so as to be movable by a minute distance in a direction approaching and separating from each other. Moreover, the idle gears 96, 96 are urged in the direction approaching each other by the spring member 98 described above. As a result, each idle gear 96 meshes with the first and second external gear portions 94 and 95 without backlash.

  A connection protrusion 95 a is formed at the center of the upper surface of the second external gear portion 95. The upper end portion of the connecting projection 95a protrudes upward through the fourth support plate 93D so as to be rotatable, and there is a second hinge member 92 having an axis aligned with the second rotation axis L2. The central part of is fixed. The upper surface portion 92a of the second hinge member 92 is a second attachment portion. The upper surface portion 92 a is fixed to the lower surface of the second housing 2. As a result, the second housing 2 is rotatably connected to the first housing 1 via the hinge device 9.

  The click mechanism 100 includes a fixed shaft 101, a leaf spring 102 as an urging means, a pair of spheres 103 and 103, and a first external gear portion 94. The fixed shaft 101 penetrates the support member 93 so that the support member 93 can move in the first rotation axis L1 direction and can rotate, the first external gear portion 94 cannot rotate, and the first rotation axis L1 direction. It penetrates to be movable. The lower end portion of the fixed shaft 101 is fitted and fixed to the inner periphery of the connecting cylinder portion 91 b of the first hinge member 91. The upper end portion of the fixed shaft 101 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the support member 93 (fourth support plate 93D), and an annular protrusion 101a is formed there. The annular protrusion 101 a is slidably in contact with the upper surface of the support member 93. Thereby, the support member 93 is connected to the first hinge member 91 so as not to be detached, and the hinge device 9 as a whole is unitized.

  The fourth support plate 93D is formed with a pair of through holes 104, 104 extending in parallel with the first rotation axis L1. The pair of through-holes 104 and 104 are disposed 180 ° apart in the circumferential direction on a circumference centered on the first rotation axis L1. The inner diameter of the through hole 104 is set to be larger by a predetermined size than the thickness of the fourth support plate 93D. The spherical body 103 is inserted into the through hole 104 so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction of the through hole 104. The outer diameter of the sphere 103 is set to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the through hole 104. Accordingly, one side and the other side of the outer peripheral surface of the sphere 103 in the first rotation axis direction protrude from the through hole 104 to the outside. One side portion of the sphere 103 protruding from the through hole 104 to the upper surface side of the fourth support plate 93D is urged downward by a leaf spring 102 fixed to the upper surface of the fourth support plate 93D. The other side portion of the sphere 103 protruding from the through hole 104 to the lower surface side of the fourth support plate 93D is pressed against the upper surface of the first external gear portion 94 by the urging force of the leaf spring 102.

  Four engaging recesses (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the first external gear portion 94. The respective engaging recesses are arranged 90 ° apart from each other on the same circumference as the circumference on which the sphere 103 is arranged around the first rotation axis L1. In addition, the four engaging recesses are arranged so that the pair of spheres 103 and 103 enter the two engaging recesses when the second housing 2 is positioned at the overlapping position, the intermediate position, and the deployed position. Therefore, the second housing 2 is stopped with a click feeling at the overlapping position, the intermediate position, and the deployed position.

  In the game machine E configured as described above, the idle gear 96 meshes with the first and second external gear portions 94 and 95 without backlash. There is no play caused by rush. Therefore, it is possible to prevent backlash between the first and second housings 1 and 2.

  Generation of backlash due to backlash between the first and second external gear portions 94 and 95 is arranged so that one of the first and second external gear portions 94 and 95 is movable toward and away from each other. At the same time, it can be prevented by biasing the one side to the other side by the biasing means. However, in such a case, as a result of the movement of the first external gear portion 94 or the second external gear portion 95, the first rotation axis L1 moves relative to the first housing 1, or the second rotation. This causes a problem that the moving axis L2 moves with respect to the second housing 2. Therefore, it is not realistic.

In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it can change suitably.
For example, in the above-described embodiments, the first and second housings 1 and 2 have the same shape and the same size in plan view, but may have different shapes and different sizes. For example, the first housing 1 may be trapezoidal. Of course, even in such a case, when the second housing 2 is positioned at the intermediate position, both ends of the first housing 1 provided with the operation buttons 11 and the push buttons 12 are connected to the second housing 2. It is desirable to project from the left and right direction.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1 and the lower surface 2b of the second housing 2 are planar, and the first and second housings 1 and 2 are arranged so that they are almost in contact with each other. The first and second casings 1 and 2 are arranged so that almost the entire first and second casings 1 and 2 can overlap each other, but only a part of the first and second casings 1 and 2 can overlap. In order to make it possible, only a part of the upper surface 1a and a part of the lower surface 2b may be disposed so as to substantially contact each other.

  The hinge device according to the present invention can be used when the first housing and the second housing of the portable device are rotatably connected.

A Game console (mobile device)
B Game console (mobile device)
C Game console (mobile device)
D Game console (mobile device)
E Game console (mobile device)
L1 first rotation axis L2 second rotation axis L3 third rotation axis 1 first housing 2 second housing 3 hinge device 4 hinge device 4A hinge device 4B hinge device 6 hinge device 9 hinge device 14 first housing Recess 15 Second housing recess 16 Housing recess 31 Connecting member 41 First hinge member 41a Internal gear portion (first gear portion)
41b Mounting part (first mounting part)
42 1st support member (support member)
42b Small diameter part (fitting part)
42c Housing recess (housing portion)
43 2nd hinge member 43a External gear part (2nd gear part)
43b Boss part (second mounting part)
44 Second support member (support member)
61 Base frame (base)
61a Bottom surface (first mounting part)
62 Rotating member 63 Shaft 64 Gear 64b External gear part (first gear part)
65 Second hinge member 65a mounting portion (second mounting portion)
65b Internal gear part (second gear part)
66A Lower support member (support member)
66B Upper support member (support member)
66b Short cylinder part (fitting part)
91 1st hinge member 91a Lower part (1st attachment part)
92 2nd hinge member 92a Upper surface part (2nd attaching part)
93 Support member 94 First external gear (first gear portion)
95 Second external gear (second gear part)
96 Idle gear 98 Spring member (biasing means)

Claims (2)

A first hinge member having a first attachment portion and a first gear portion; a second hinge member having a second attachment portion and a second gear portion meshing with the first gear portion; and the first hinge member as the first hinge. The second hinge member is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis of the second gear part, and is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis of the gear part, and the first gear part, the second gear part, A support member for maintaining the meshed state, and the axis of the first gear part and the axis of the second gear part are arranged in parallel to each other,
The first gear portion is an internal gear portion, the second gear portion is an external gear portion,
The support member is provided with a fitting portion that fits rotatably on the inner peripheral surface of the first gear portion, and the fitting portion accommodates the second gear portion rotatably. One side portion of the housing portion is opened to the outside from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion, and one side portion of the second gear portion is projected to the outside from the opened side portion of the housing portion. And the second gear portion meshes with the first gear portion at one protruding side portion . The first hinge member has a base portion provided with the first mounting portion and a rotating member provided with the first gear portion, and the rotating member is disposed on the base portion of the first gear portion. The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge device is connected so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the axis.

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